TONKATUFF AIMING HIGH

After an outstanding Autumn campaign which resulted in three consecutive city wins, trainer Brad Graham now has eyes set on an ambitious Spring campaign with the promising Western Australian galloper Tonkatuff.

“I have been delighted at the improvement that his bloke continues to make,” said Graham. “He’s such a big, strong and athletic horse that it was obvious that he only needed time to mature to fulfill his potential.”
After a short break, Tonkatuff is now back in work and Graham is raising the bar for this exciting son of Therock (Fastnet Rock). “We are looking at some pretty good races for him and will target the $100,000 Listed Hannans Handicap at Kalgoorlie in September and the $100,000 Listed Northam Cup in October,” Graham said.

“Who knows, if he can get through those races and continue to make natural improvement, we may also roll the dice and have a crack at the Group 1, $1m Railway Stakes,” Graham said. “I know it’s a big ask, but if he can make the same improvement this campaign that he did last time, then its something we will be considering. He’s certainly the best horse that I have trained,” he added. Both Graham and owner/breeder Brad Cooper have become big fans of Tonkatuff’s sire, ‘Therock’. “I really like the breed,” Cooper said. “I have seen the stallion and he is one of the best looking stallions that you could ever wish to see. He is clearly stamping his progeny and they all seem to be big, strong and athletic types – just like him,” he said.

Cooper set about finding another progeny by Therock and recently purchased a 2yo filly out of a WA mare, Xaartos. The mare is half sister to stakes winner All Friared Up. “I purchased the filly from Victoria and when she arrived and got of the float at my property, I couldn’t have been happier. The similarities between her and ‘Tonka’ are quite incredible,” he said. “ I’m now looking at sending another mare to Victoria to be covered by Therock”.